Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Marriage for Love

But Chade wasn't here.No, he was at the other end of the room, where a large cushioned chair faced a dancing fire in the grate.There were stacks of rugs on the floor, and an intricately carved table with bowls full of autumn apples and corked glass bottles of summer wine.Chade sat on a chair, holding a half-opened scroll and reading by the light.When he looked at things, did he hold them further away than before?Are his thin arms more haggard?I can't help but wonder if he's aged during the months I've been away, or if I haven't been paying close attention to him before?His gray woolen robe was as regular as ever, and the long gray hair that covered the shoulders of the robe seemed to be the same color.As usual, I stood quietly until he looked up and saw me.Some things have changed, others have not.

He finally put down the scroll and looked at me.He has green eyes, and there is always a light of surprise blooming on his face belonging to the Zhanyuan family.Despite the pustular acne scars all over his face and arms, his illegitimate lineage was almost as obvious as mine.I think I should be able to call him uncle, but our master-student relationship is obviously closer than blood relatives.He looked at me from head to toe, making me stand up straighter self-consciously under his careful observation.His voice was as serious as an order: "Boy, go to the light." I took a dozen steps forward knowingly, and let him study me carefully like studying a scroll. "If we are ambitious traitors, you and I, we can make the people look like a horse in you, and I can teach you how to stand like him, and you can already walk like him. I can also teach you how to add wrinkles to your face to make you look older. You are about the same height as him, and you can learn his idioms and the way he smiles. Gradually, we can quietly gather strength to make They can't imagine how they failed. Then one day, we will be able to seize power."

He stopped. I shook my head slowly, and we smiled at each other, and I went and sat on the hearth stones at his feet, the fire behind me warm and comfortable. "It's my thing, I suppose." He sighed, sipping his wine. "I have to think of these things, because I know other people will too. Sooner or later, some insignificant nobleman will believe that this is an unprecedented idea, and come to you with it. Just wait and see what I say Right or wrong." "I hope you're wrong. I've had enough of intrigue, Chade, and I'm not playing as well as I expected in chess."

"You've done well for whoever you're fighting, and you survived." He looked through me at the fire.The question that hangs between us is almost obvious, and that is why did King Shrewd tell Regal that I was his assassin in training?Why did he ask me to report and receive instructions from a person who wanted to kill me?Could it be that he betrayed me to Regal so that he could use it to satisfy Regal's other grievances?If I am a pledge for sacrifice, must I be hung up like a bait for the young prince's amusement?I don't think even Chade can answer all my questions, and to ask them would be a complete betrayal of our oath to be my prince's people.Years ago, we swore we would give our lives to Shrewd to protect the Crown.We cannot ask how he will choose to use us, it would be treason to think so.

So Chade lifted the summer wine and poured it for me in an empty glass.We had a brief chat about things that only mattered to us, and that was a real treat.I asked about the weasel sneaking, and he stammered sympathy for Big Nose's death.He asked a few questions to let me know that he knew all about Verity's private reports and stable rumors.Chade also briefly mentioned to me the less important gossip about the castle and the lower-middle-class happenings in my absence.But when I asked him what he thought of our princess Kettricken, his face changed. "She faced a difficult road. She came to a court without a queen, not even a queen herself. She came here in hard times, a kingdom with internal and external troubles. But her greatest dilemma was This court did not understand her conception of royalty, and was trapped by the feasts and parties held for her. She was used to going among people, tending gardens herself, weaving and smelting metal, settling disputes, and sacrificing herself so that her people would not suffer; but Here instead finds that her society belongs exclusively to the aristocracy and the rich and powerful. She doesn't understand that the purpose of these gatherings is nothing more than consuming wine and exotic food, and showing off expensive cloths and flashy jewellery, so she's not doing well '. She is a handsome woman, and has her own style, but she is too tall and strong, surpassing the women of Buckkeep, like a hunter's valiant mount. She has a good heart, and I don't know Is she up to the task, boy. Seriously, I sympathize with her. She came here alone, and the people with her entourage have long since returned to the mountains, so, except for those who want to get her favour. , she was still very lonely."

"And Verity," I asked troubledly, "did he ignore her loneliness and teach her our ways?" "Verity doesn't have much time for her," Chade said bluntly. "He tried to explain to Shrewd before the engagement was arranged, but we didn't listen to him. Shrewd and I were only interested in the political advantages she brought, and I forgot that there would be a woman at this court day in and day out. Verity is also very busy. If they are just ordinary men and women, they will naturally show sincere concern for each other after a long time, but at this moment they must do everything they can to maintain the appearance, and soon, everyone will demand the birth of an heir. They No time to get to know each other, let alone care for each other." He must have seen the pain on my face, because he added: "That's the royal way, boy, except for the horse and Patience. They don't care Political advantage, just have a good time, and no crown prince has ever married for love. I'm sure you've heard a lot of people say how stupid this whole thing is."

"And I've always wondered if he cared." "He paid the price," Chade said calmly. "I don't think he regrets it, but he is the crown prince after all, and you don't have his status." That's it.I suspect he knows everything, and it's futile to expect him not to tell.I felt a slow blush creep over my face -- "Molly?" He nodded slowly: "This is something that belongs to ordinary people, and you were just a boy at the time, so it doesn't matter, but you are an adult now. When she came here to look for you, everyone started talking about it. Nai Shin did a great job of stopping the rumors and taking control of the situation. I wouldn't know what to do with this woman, but Shin handled it really well."

"This woman..." I repeated painfully.If he had said "the whore," I might not have found it so poignant. "Ched, you misunderstood her, and you misunderstood me. We were friends a long time ago, and whose fault it was... I screwed up, not Molly. I always wanted to make friends in town Those friends, this 'newcomer' time is mine."